July 24, 1928 ‒ October 01, 2010

Lexington, Ohio

Service Details:

LEXINGTON ~ Driving down the road, Dave Foust could smell a piece of rusting machinery. He’d “sniff-out” the abandoned piece, barter to get it, then pour himself into restoring it. In the little shop behind his home, Dave would meticulously clean and restore each piece of implement to a state better than its original condition. His finished projects had “the cleanest guts in town, when he got done with them.” He’d refurbish tractors, bulldozers, skid loaders, anything with an engine…often fabricating his own replacement parts.

No matter how busy Dave was out in the shop, one thing could always make him drop whatever he was doing- the ring of the supper bell at 5 pm sharp! Call him what you will, except late for dinner, the best way to top it off was with a slice of pie.

He had a heart for the discarded and forsaken, be it equipment or people, as Dave valued people ~ he never met a stranger ~ and always encouraged kindness: “they’re a person, speak to them.”

A man who saw great value and worth, where others did not, Dave passed away Friday morning October 1, 2010 in MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. He was 82.

Born July 24, 1928 in Lexington to Clarence and Barbara (Logan) Foust, Dave remained a lifelong village resident. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps in the early 50s.

For 52 years he was self-employed, painting both interior and exterior.

Dave had so many classic sayings and quips, but none were more important to him than the common courtesy of a “Thank you” or an invitation to visit him again: “Come Back”.

He was member of Bellville Lodge #376 F&AM and a charter member of Lexington First Congregational Church.

He is survived by his wife Marge (Harris) Foust, whom he married February 28, 1948; sister and brother-in-law Dorothy & Dayton Williams of Eden, sister Carolyn Gill of Las Cruces, NM; numerous niece and nephews; and a host of friends including caretaker Jim Magers and his family of Lexington.

A graveside funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 3 p.m. in Lexington Cemetery. Pastor Jonathan Cheatham will speak. Military honors will be provided by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail.

Contributions in his memory to Lexington First Congregational Church may be made through the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, which is assisting his family with funeral plans.